By Our Correspondent

The Edo Government says it has intensified measures through various innovative programmes to ensure full and prompt implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the state.

Mrs Edesili Okpebholo, the wife of the governor, communicated this on Monday in Abuja at the 2025 SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards dinner, an event organised in collaboration with the United Nations and other stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SDG Short Film Challenge is an initiative aimed at inspiring creativity and storytelling around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mrs Okpebholo said the government had embraced the spirit of action and innovation, working to accelerate implementation of the SDGs in the state.

She said that more than 3,000 rural women had been empowered through various programmes including the provision of clean energy facilities, agricultural production, health, education training and film production.

“I will begin with our most recent project regarding SDG 7, Clean Energy, in which we provided clean stoves to rural women.

“I have always said that for you to make impact, it must start from the rural woman; we have done a lot of education of the girl child, I believe in the total woman, empowering her financially, in her health and mentally.

“So, in my office, we are in agreement with all SDG goals , but as I said, it has to do with the total woman, the complete woman so that is what we do as a project, to care for our people.”

The Edo first lady said the state government had some months ago, toward expanding its creative economy, entered into a strategic partnership with a German film academy.

“This collaboration aims to equip emerging filmmakers with world-class training, modern film production techniques, and access to advanced professional film production equipment.”

She said the state would continue to support the film industry practitioners in their movie production, especially on films and cinema shows that promote SDG goals.

“As first lady of the state, I have the privilege of championing several initiatives that speaks directly to our shared commitment to sustainable development.

“Particularly in the areas of empowerment, financial, mental independence, for women, through the Better Life and Care Foundation, which is my pet foundation, and project, we have changed the way we see life.”

According to her, Edo Government has transformed the lives of numerous women and girls, providing them with tools and confidence to pursue their dreams and become pillars of their communities.

She said the efforts aligned with various goals of the SDG, adding that she personally believed in full empowerment of the woman gender.

“Our vision is clear and simple, a future where everyone, every child, every community is in a safe, sustainable, and prosperous environment,” she said.

She urged film makers to continue to utilise their creativity and voice as a force for the good of the nation as they work toward a better and prosperous future.

The Edo first lady said achieving the SDGs goals was not the responsibility of government alone, saying that it required the collective effort of all citizens.

She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working closely with partners, including platforms like the promoters of SDG short films challenge programme to ensure inclusive, sustainable, and impactful development.

On her part, the Queen Consort of Olu of Warri, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, said film makers ‘were sustainable change agents, wielding one of the most powerful tools.

She said the most powerful person was the storyteller, describing film makers’ as powerful sustainable development change agents.

“With these films, you have done something revolutionary; you have given these big global goals, human faces, turning them into practical, creative pathways for ordinary people to understand, contribute to, and drive change.”

She called on governments and international development agencies to invest in storytelling to accelerate implementation of SDGs.

“We need the filmmaker in Kano, who can tell the story of climate resilience in Hausa or the animator in Enugu who can explain gender equality to a 10 year old in a way that will make her focus in attaining her dreams,” she said.

NAN reports that high point of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence in SDGs implementation to Mrs Okpebholo and Olori Ivie Atuwatss III .

Awards and cash gifts were also presented to winners for various categories of short films such as best indigenous film and animation, on SDG goals among others.

The 2025 SDG short film challenge and awards provides a national platform for emerging filmmakers and storytellers from across Nigeria to showcase compelling short films that highlight community actions, policy impacts and local innovations.

The short films are designed to show case voices of change, driving progress towards the SDGs.

It is organised in collaboration with the United Nations, FreshNEWS Multimedia Networks Ltd and other key stakeholders.